Preview:
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrived at the Netanya stadium for the second league match of the season against Hapoel Hadera aiming to build on last week’s 4-1 victory over Ashdod and maintain a 100% record.
Robbie Keane, who guided Maccabi to the Conference League group stages, will aim to head out to the International break with an unbeaten record of 10 matches in all competitions
Keane, made two changes from the side that salvaged a 1-1 draw against NK Celje in Slovenia on Thursday. Roi Mishpati kept his place in goal for his second league match at Maccabi. Nir Bitton, who started the match in Slovenia as a central midfielder dropped back to replace Derrick Luckassen as Enric Saborit’s defensive. Yvann Macon on the right and Roy Revivo on the left completed Maccabi’s defensive back-four line. Gabi Kanichowsky, the scorer of Maccabi’s equalizer against Celje, joined Joris van Overeem and Dan Biton to complete Maccabi’s midfield trio. Yonatan Cohen, whose second half introduction as a substitute revived the team last Thursday, was named by Keane on one wing with Milson occupying the other wide role. Upfront, Eran Zahavi led the line as the 36-year-old marksman was aiming to extend his impressive start to the season of 9 goals in as many matches.
On the bench, Keane named the two new signings – Osher Davida and Kiko Bondoso who joined Daniel Tenenbaum, Idan Nachmias, Dor Turgeman, Sheran Yeini, Derrick Luckassen, Ofir Davidzada and Ido Shahar.
First Half
Supported by around 7000 fans at Netanya, Maccabi began the match with pressure on Hadera right from the start. In the fourth minute Milson scooped his shot high and wide, but less than a minute later the Angolan winger danced into the box past two defenders and managed to square the ball to Eran Zahavi. A sharp back-heal flick from close range was heading goal bound but Hadera’s keeper Ohad Levita pulled a reflex save to deny Zahavi and Maccabi from scoring an early goal.
It took Hadera 10 minutes to cross the halfway and create their first chance as Tamir Adi flashed a half volley from close range wide of Roi Mishpati’s post. Within a minute at the opposite end however Maccabi’s pressure paid off as Joris van Overeem broke into the area and all the way to the byline and spotted Dan Biton unmarked near the penalty spot. The Dutch born midfielder, cut the ball back for Biton who side-footed the ball which took a deflection off Philip Ipole to beat Levita and open the score.
Hadera’s captain Menashe Zalka was shown the yellow card for dissent while Samy Bourard joined him after fouling Enric Saborit on 19.
Maccabi continued to press as Yonatan Cohen picked Biton on the edge of the box before his attempt of a shot was half blocked still forcing Levita to stretch himself and claw the ball out. Hadera’s coach Niso Avitan made an early change in the 30th minute as he replaced Ipole and introduced Dor Jan.
Mishpati kept Maccabi’s lead in-tact as he denied Hadera’s Tony Lopes in the 40th minute to ensure the narrow lead is kept. Cohen had a powerful drive deflected over Hadera’s bar, and with no further goals before the halftime whistle, Maccabi stepped off to regroup ahead of the second period.
Second Half
The first 15 minutes of the second half was untidy as on both sides created half chances at both ends of the pitch indicating that a goal was going to be scored. Right on the hour mark Gabi Kanichowsky was left unmarked on the edge of Hadera’s area with plenty of time and space to send a powerful curling drive that doubled the score.
Maccabi’s keeper Roi Mishpati pulled a reflex to deny Hadera’s Tony Lopes in the 40th minute before another header sailed over and landed behind the goal. Cohen had a powerful drive deflected over Hadera’s bar, and with no further goals before the halftime whistle, Maccabi took the slender lead into the dressing room.
Second Half
The first 15 minutes of the second half was untidy as on both ends of the pitch signalled a goal was going to be scored. Right on the hour mark Gabi Kanichowsky was left unmarked on the edge of Hadera’s area with plenty of time and space to send a powerful curling drive that doubled the score.
Keane reacted almost instantly as he handed Kiko Bondoso his debut Maccabi appearance as the Portuguese winger replaced Cohen for the final half hour.
In the 74th minute Kiko made his mark on the game as he received the ball from Van Overeem deep inside Hadera’s half, spotted Zahavi in the middle of the area before sending a perfect cut back. Zahavi didn’t even control the ball but instead fired a shot on the turn to make it 3-0 with his 10th goal in as many appearances this season.
Keane made three substitutions as Osher Davida was handed his Maccabi debut replacing Milson, while Ido Shahar and Dor Turgeman came on for Biton and Zahavi. Sheran Yeini added another appearance to his tally as he replaced Macon at right back in the 81st minute.
Turgeman came close on 87 as he blasted a right foot shot from the edge of the area that crept wide of Levita’s post. Ohad Asulin’s full time whistle sent Maccabi’s players and staff to celebrate the victory and an almost perfect start to the season. Having scored 30 goals and conceded 6 from the opening 10 matches in all competitions Maccabi go out to the international break and return for the home game against Maccabi Bnei Reineh.
